Robert Williams

Rob is the founding director of the firm which commenced in 1983 as Robert Williams Architects, restructured in 2000 as Williams Burton Architects when David Burton was appointed a director, and is now Williams Burton Leopardi.

Rob’s residential and educational design work is widely recognised and he has been responsible for expanding and designing some of Adelaide’s most prominent residential properties. Rob manages the firm’s educational portfolio, which includes several of Adelaide’s major private schools, and has worked closely with commercial clients to deliver unique projects.

Throughout all our work, Rob retains an essentially hands on role from conceptual design to project completion. He has recently retired as a Chapter Councillor for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and Chair of the Practice Committee.

Sophia Leopardi

On graduating from the University of South Australia in 2003 Sophia was awarded a DIA Commendation for Interior Architecture and a DIA Australia merit prize for furniture design.

Sophia established and leads the Interior Design team at WBL and her Award winning work has spanned beautiful, elegant and bespoke residential design, through sophisticated, engaging retail fit outs to deeply personal environments to conduct business.

Widely recognised as one of Adelaide’s new wave of young, creative leaders, she has been profiled in national publications, and her passion, warmth and open hearted design is evident in her wonderful tactile and elegant interiors.

Assuming the role of Director of WBL in 2013, Sophia’s talent and leadership assures an exciting future.

David Burton

David joined Robert Williams in 1996 after graduating from Adelaide University with first class honours, and receiving the 1993 Prize in Architecture for student work.

He has undertaken key roles in the design and implementation of the firm’s educational, commercial and residential projects, and since becoming a director of WBL he has helped in establishing the firm as a multiple RAIA and DIA award winning integrated design studio.
A key supporter of urban design, David has also established the Adelaide 2050 group to establish and encourage informed debate on the state of urban design in Adelaide.

David was the RAIA representation of ‘Adelaide a City of Great Buildings’ committee and is a member of the 2016 Asia Pacific Space Designers Alliance Conference organising committee hosted in Adelaide in 2016.

David Handsaker

David joined WBL in 2005 after a four year involvement with Brown Falconer.

In addition to working on a wide range of residential projects including multi-storey apartment work, he has been an integral member of our Education Team.

David’s conceptual and three dimensional CAD modelling skills has seen him take on a role in design development of key residential and commercial projects, in addition to being a skilled contract administrator and project leader.

Caroline Cameron

Rachel Catt

Rachel joined the team in early 2012 after returning from nearly five years in London working for the highly acclaimed architectural firm Allies and Morrison.

Her extensive and varied experience includes luxury residential schemes in Beirut, Lebanon and in the UK, a mosque, neuroscience institute, hospital masterplan, the documentation of a Zaha Hadid designed building, and gallery within the renowned Somerset House in London.

At WBL, Rachel has been instrumental in the success of multi residential projects such as Loft and Gibson and 7th at Bowden, and her design rigour, detail design and public presentation skills are highly regarded, along with an excellent client rapport.

Ben Trio

Ben joined WBL in 1999 after extensive experience as a sole practitioner and in larger commercial firms.

He has been an integral team member working on major residential and educational projects, and his depth of experiences and detail design and documentation skills are highly prized in the office, especially as a mentor to our newer staff.

Erin Crowden

Erin joined WBL in 2010 upon graduation from The University of Adelaide.

She brings with her a controlled and meticulous approach to her work and a strong knowledge of ESD and sustainability principles. Erin’s 3D design capacity via sketch up and ability to handle multiple projects has seen her responsibility in the office rise beyond her years and her recent elevation to being a registered Architect confirms her maturity and expanding leadership of projects.

Erin, along with others in our team, represents the future for WBL with a skill set that happily spans architectural design, coordination of interiors and detailed documentation and client interaction.

Harriet Craig

Rebecca Gardner

Brigitta Baldock

Brigitta joined WBL in 2014 in office administration and reception. Brigitta’s calm manner and follow up has been instantly welcomed in the studio and her friendly manner with clients has only enhanced our relationships.